Volunteer Texas Firefighters Indicted In Chorizo Sexual Assault
A grand jury in North Texas indicted five volunteer firefighters, the department chief, and assistant chief for allegedly sexually assaulting another firefighter with a chorizo sausage.
Five Waxahachie volunteer firefighters have been indicted on sexual assault and attempted aggravated sexual assault charges, according to the San Antonio Express News.
Their names are Keith Edward Wisakowsky, 26; Casey Joe Stafford, 30; Preston Thomas Peyrot, 19; Alec Chase Miller, 28; and Blake Jerold Tucker, 19.
Department chief Gavin Satterfield and assistant chief William “Billy” Getzendaner have been charged with tampering with witnesses. Wisakowsky’s girlfriend, 23-year-old Leanne Parten, is accused of filming the assault and has been charged with improper photography or visual recording.
Texas volunteer firefighters indicted in sexual assault, cover-up case http://t.co/b5nHGxt8A4
— Houston Chronicle (@HoustonChron) September 9, 2015
The incident is alleged to have occurred Jan. 20 at the Waxahachie fire station during a hazing initiation ceremony, according to Waxahachietx Daily Light.
The victim says the other firefighters forcibly bent him over a couch and held him face down while Parten filmed him with her cell phone. Allegedly, the group first considered using a broomstick to sexually assault the victim, but then penetrated him with a chorizo sausage.
After allegedly assaulting the victim with the sausage, his assailants released him and allowed him to crawl into a nearby bathroom where he threw up. While the victim showered to clean himself up, his assailants allegedly stole his clothes, forcing him to run to his car to retrieve some shorts.
Texas Rangers arrested the group six months ago and began an investigation that uncovered witness tampering and an attempted cover up.
Chief and assistant chief charged in Ellis County firefighter chorizo sex assault:http://t.co/GlARHxqTw8 pic.twitter.com/4ipGB1uzKX
— Dallas Observer (@dallas_observer) April 11, 2015
After watching the video, the department chief reportedly “laughed and chuckled” but then commented that the victim could potentially get the group in trouble. He then turned to the man and allegedly said, “But you’re not going to.”
Then, the assistant chief is alleged to have told witnesses to keep quiet about the incident and delete the video.
The department chief and assistant chief have been ousted from their positions, and the other five firefighters have been terminated. The fire marshal was appointed to run the department temporarily.
No date has been set for the trial.
Ellis County Judge Carol Bush told the San Antonio Express News that the hazing incident was shocking and appalling.
“I am confident that this event is not representative of the character of the majority of fire service professionals in this county.”
Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
